South Athens is the biggest yacht charter hub in the eastern Mediterranean, and nearly every Greek sailing holiday starts here. The anchor of it all is Alimos Marina in the Kalamaki district, 10 kilometers south of the Acropolis and 30 minutes by taxi from Athens International Airport. With over 1.0...
South Athens is the biggest yacht charter hub in the eastern Mediterranean, and nearly every Greek sailing holiday starts here. The anchor of it all is Alimos Marina in the Kalamaki district, 10 kilometers south of the Acropolis and 30 minutes by taxi from Athens International Airport. With over 1.000 berths, Alimos is where the majority of the Saronic and Aegean bareboat fleets are based. The marina has fuel, water, electricity, a chandlery, several repair shops, and supermarkets within walking distance. It is not pretty — this is a working charter base, not a resort marina — but it is efficient and well-organized for Saturday turnarounds.
From Alimos, the Saronic Gulf opens up to the south and east. The sailing here is sheltered, scenic, and forgiving — exactly what you want on a first day out with a new crew getting their sea legs. Cape Sounion, the southeastern tip of Attica crowned by the Temple of Poseidon, makes a dramatic first-night anchorage and sits just 15 nautical miles from the marina. Watching sunset light hit those Doric columns from the cockpit is a proper introduction to Greek sailing. Beyond Sounion, Aegina is 18 nautical miles southwest of Alimos — a 3-4 hour sail with the typical afternoon breeze. The harbor at Perdika on Aegina's south coast has excellent tavernas and a view across to the island of Moni. Poros, 12 nautical miles south of Aegina, has a dramatic narrow channel separating it from the Peloponnese, just 200 meters wide in places, and a lively waterfront.
Hydra, 10 nautical miles beyond Poros, is the jewel of the Saronic. No cars, no motorbikes — just donkeys, stone paths, and a stunning amphitheater harbor lined with 18th-century merchant houses. The harbor fills quickly in summer; arriving before noon is essential. For those heading toward the Cyclades instead, Lavrion (25 nautical miles east of Alimos around Cape Sounion) is a better departure point — Kea is just 13 nautical miles from Lavrion, making it reachable in a comfortable afternoon sail. Zea Marina in Piraeus and the Olympic Marina at Agios Kosmas offer additional berth options closer to the city center.
Wind patterns from South Athens are driven by the Meltemi in summer — a dry northerly that builds through the morning and typically blows 15-20 knots by mid-afternoon, dropping after sunset. In the Saronic Gulf the Meltemi is moderated by the surrounding landmasses, rarely exceeding Force 5. But once you round Cape Sounion heading for the Cyclades, the wind accelerates significantly in the channels between islands, and crews need to be ready for a different level of sailing. Water temperature in the Saronic reaches 24-26°C from June through September.
Provisioning from South Athens could not be easier. Multiple large supermarkets serve the Alimos marina area, fresh fish markets operate in Piraeus, and Athens itself is a 15-minute metro ride from the coast. This is the only major charter base in the Mediterranean where you can visit the Acropolis, eat lunch in Plaka, and be back on the boat for an afternoon sail to Aegina — all in the same day.
